Deceiving Spirits

 How do we go about discerning between The Spirit and a deceiving spirit? The Word makes it clear that demonic spirits impersonate the Holy Spirit.

For such are false emissaries, deceptive workers, masquerading as emissaries of Messiah.
And no wonder! For Satan himself masquerades as a messenger of light!
It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works! 2 Cor 11:13-15 TS2009

 I was taken by the Holy Spirit to Ezekiel 14 this morning. The words there rather left me speechless. 

And some of the elders of Yisra’ĕl came to me and sat before me.
And the word of יהוה came to me, saying,
“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and have put the stumbling-block of their crookedness before their face. Should I let them inquire of Me at all? Ezekiel 14:1-3

These elders are respected men. They are coming to a known prophet of YHVH. They sit down and wait for him to speak. And what YHVH says to Ezekiel is surprising: "Why should I give them any answer? They have their idols. They are asking Me and metaphoric idols at the same time." 

What's the FIRST COMMAND? Do not have other gods beside Me. If you have His Word you don't need theirs, correct? First, His is the only true Word...theirs will deceive you.

“Therefore speak to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus said the Master יהוה, “Everyone of the house of Yisra’ĕl who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts the stumbling-block of his crookedness before his face, and shall come to the prophet – I יהוה shall answer him who comes, according to his many idols,
in order to lay hold of the house of Yisra’ĕl by their heart, for they have become estranged from Me by their idols, all of them.” ’ verses 4-5

This reminded me of a word in 1 Kings:

“And יהוה said, ‘Who shall entice Aḥaḇ to go up and fall at Ramoth Gil‛aḏ?’ And this one said this, and another said that.
“And a spirit came forward and stood before יהוה, and said, ‘Let me entice him.’
“And יהוה said to him, ‘In what way?’ And he said, ‘I shall go out and be a spirit of falsehood in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And He said, ‘Entice him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’ 22:22

If we recall, Ahab was a notorious idolater. He sought help and deliverance through many different sources, for his different needs and problems. His prophets were hearing, indeed--prophets of Ba'al heard from demonic spirits. What this spirit was offering to do was to cross the lines to cause them to speak untruth to him, knowing Ahab would listen.

How can we be sure that we aren't receiving bad counsel, if we are praying to our God? Do you think that these willing, deceiving spirits are not able to speak a word of affirmation to the way we want to go?

 Our family had a conversation not too long ago, about the way that sometimes, you have to stop trying to contradict a person that is deceived, and let them find out for themselves that they believed a lie. You can't win them by arguing, or even trying to persuade because they've already decided what they want to believe. 

As we choose to consult our idols alongside our Father, He doesn't go about it by showing up or showing off. The fruit of our ways will punish us. As we pray to our Father, In Heaven, we must be sure that we are not holding dearly to the ways of The Nations alongside Him. If we are, He will allow us to hear things that are not of Truth. This is a serious, dangerous risk of not loving the Truth, so to be saved.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood,
and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, in order for them to be saved. 2 Thess 2:9-10

Do we respect the opinions of experts whose knowledge is based on what is seen? How does seeking these opinions manifest in our level of peace; how does our image consultation affect our ability to hear from The Word, Who has the capacity to FULLY deliver or destroy us?